Hesperilla sarnia Atkins, 1978
Swift Sedge Skipper
 TRAPEZITINAE, HESPERIIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 6 March 2004)

These Caterpillars are purple fading to pink at the tail. They have white lines along the body and a brown head. They feed nocturnally, and by day live in a shelter constructed from foodplant leaves and silk. They are known to feed on :

  • Nut Rush ( Scleria levis, CYPERACEAE ).

    The Caterpillar grows to a length of about 3 cms. It pupates in its larval shelter.

    The adult male butterflies are dark brown with a small yellow spot and a black line on each forewing. The females have three yellow spots and no black line on each forewing. Underneath, the males are paler brown with two small yellow spots under each forewing. Females are similar to the males underneath, but the spots are larger.

    This species occurs in localised areas of Queensland.

    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby, Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 160-161.

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